This is an author that I typically love, but this one just wasn't for me. I realize I am in the majority based on other reviews, but I struggled with getting into the plot and connecting with the characters. I was eager to read something about the foster system because it is so close to my heart, but it was literally work trying to get through this one. I'm giving it two stars instead of one because there was still a bit of the signature Jill Shalvis storytelling, but unfortunately, I was bored to tears. But please try it for yourself, everyone else has seemed to love it!

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis (Wildstone #7) 4 stars

This is book #7 in the Wildstone series. You don't have to read the series in order because each book can be read as a standalone novel. It is a series that is connected by location rather than by the characters of each book.

At the beginning of the book we are introduced to the main characters: Maze Porter, Caitlin Walsh, Heather (?) and Walker Scott at the grave of Michael Walsh. Caitlin's parents took in Maze, Heather, and Walker as foster children. They were becoming a family unit until tragedy strikes and Maze, Heather and Walker are sent away. Caitlin is getting married and she wants her found family back together. Through a mild deception, Maze, Heather and Walker arrive at the home one week early. What happened in their lives, the connections they keep form the basis of the book.

Although a big part of the focus is on Caitlin, the main romance is between Maze and Walker. Maze and Walker are the older children when they are placed with the Walsh's. Both of them have parental issues or lack of parents to overcome and the sense of never belonging. Walker appears to be the more stable of the two, but he has his moments too. Maze is impulsive, bold and relationship shy. There is a sense of poignancy and sadness that runs underneath this book. That said, there is also strength, resiliency, and just plain stubbornness that allows the characters to keep going. I enjoyed this book and look forward to "Love For Beginners" that is out in June 2021.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC.

Another great story from Ms Shalvis about family and forgiveness.

Maize and Walker have issues of abandonment due to their early family situations. When tragedy tears the family they became apart, it seems like nothing will be the same again.

Through the years, they ignore the family they were and try to form new luves. When called together for a family wedding, communication becomes key. Can they face their fears and past insecurities to forge a new future together? Read this and you'll find out!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

I loved Maze and Walker! Having met in a foster home as teens, they have quite a history together. When a meddling friend forces them into close proximity again, old feelings resurface.

Maze's impulsive, stubborn nature juxtaposed with Walker's steady, patient one reminded my of the dynamic between Ivy and Kel in Shalvis' "Wrapped Up In You" - another favorite of mine.

There are actually two other love secondary love stories embedded in this book, as well as lots of friends-who-are-like-family drama. There were some laugh out loud moments and plenty of sweet ones too!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honesty review. All opinions are my own.

The Forever Girl is the sixth in Jill Shalvis’ women’s fiction Wildstone series, and like the others, is a stand-alone, with the books being connected on a peripheral level due to them sharing the same small town setting. And once again, she manages to create a multilayered story equally about family bonds and finding lasting love.

I loved that the central cast was a group of former foster siblings reunited as adults. I’ve read a couple books lately that talked about the intricacies of the foster system and adoption from different perspectives, so this was a welcome addition.

Maze is a complex heroine, and while she’s definitely not always likable, I liked the examination of her choices and how they impacted her future. Ultimately, I could relate to her journey of finding self-love and reaching out to those she loves.

Her relationships with the others are also beautiful and reflect her journey, while also allowing them to be characters in their own right. She and Walker find they still have feelings for one another, and he has issues of his own that are dealt with. The others also have issues with each other that are discussed with both frankness and sensitivity.

This was a heartfelt story that is perhaps my favorite of Shalvis’ Wildstone books so far. If you love Shalvis’ previous work, or love books that are a good balance of family (going beyond blood) relationship and romance, then I think you’ll enjoy this.

I enjoyed this engrossing tale of a family consisting of foster and biological children and how their lives change after a terrible tragedy. When Maze, Caitlin (Cat), Heather, and Walker reunite for a week before Cat's wedding years later past issues come to a head. Will they be able to be there for each other or is the pain too hard to overcome? Great story of love, loss, and second chances. Recommended.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Netgalley!

Cat is getting married, and she invites her siblings (they were foster siblings before the bad event that separated them) to get together as they had been distant for several years. Maze and Walker have "a past" and there's some romance brewing. Oh, and Cat's fiance Dillon is kind of a jerk, and she starts to realize it.

The idea behind this story is good, but I didn't care for the execution. There was so much repetition of the angst over Michael's death (that's not a spoiler - he's dead when the story starts). I don't think I could have handled more of Maze lamenting over how she's "mayhem maze."

What a wonderful, feel-good read!

Jill Shalvis is the master at writing romances of the heart. The Forever Girl is the 6th book in the Wildstone series and my new favorite of the series as well!

The main character in this book, Maze, is one of four adults who were torn apart as teens, after a horrible tragedy. Maze, Walker, Cat, and Heather have had their struggles and an argument that puts a huge rift in their relationship…but years later, Cat is able to get them together for her upcoming wedding.

They all bring with them secrets, feelings, and a need to heal…

This storyline was so dang good! I loved how well the story flowed. The characters were so detailed and complete and I loved how the author gave them such deep personalities. I enjoyed the heart and hurt throughout this romance. I absolutely loved this book, and feelings I have after reading it. 5 stars.

4.5 stars

The Forever Girl is the third Wildstone book I’ve read; if I could describe this standalone series with one phrase it’d be “imperfect people finding their perfect match”. I love how Shalvis writes deeply flawed and often emotionally scarred characters who are completely relatable and three dimensional, and she has them finding love - the love of family, the love of friends, and the love of a partner. The Forever Girl was no different and, as my first read of 2021, it set the bar high for the rest of the year.

This book had so much heart. Stories about strong bonds, deep friendships, and family - whether blood family or found family - are among my favourites, and Shalvis does those things so well. Maze, Caitlin, Walker, and Heather were brought together in their youth as foster children in Caitlin’s family. They each had their own emotional baggage and trauma to deal with, but they found love and stability with the Walshes until tragedy tore them apart and scattered them. Now as adults, they’re reuniting for Caitlin’s wedding and they have a lot to overcome - past hurts, mistakes, and understandings, along with secrets, resentments, and guilt. Throw in the issues each of them is currently dealing with as adults who have grown and changed, and there’s a lot of tension and emotion bubbling in the lake house.

This story had so much heart. The bond between these characters ran deep, and yet they had so many things to overcome. There were some heavy themes - grief, mental health, childhood trauma - but it was all handled so well and was balanced by humour and moments of levity and hope. I loved the family and friendship dynamics, as well as the romantic ones. I laughed and teared up while reading - sometimes both at once. I was completely emotionally invested from beginning to end.

Full of heart and humour, The Forever Girl is a beautiful story about chosen family, bonds that last forever, forgiveness, and following your heart. I can’t wait for more Wildstone books.


*This review will also be shared on my blog on January 21st as part of the blog tour, as well as on bookstagram. Links will be updated at that time.

There are a lot of things that Maze isn't proud of, and a lot of it has to do with her foster family. Unfortunately for Maze, her sister Caitlin is getting married, and she's been called back to Wildstone to attend the wedding. She'll come face to face with her foster siblings, whom she hasn't seen in three years, and all the amazing and tragic childhood memories that come along with her found family. Caitlin, Walker, Heather, and Maze have all changed, but loving each other (some in a decidedly less familial way) hasn't changed. The question is: can they get past childhood traumas and stand by each other?

I love Jill Shalvis, I love this series, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was in a reading slump, and this pulled me right out of it. It's the perfect mix of the found family troupe, miscommunications, tragedy, and romance. You really grow to love the characters, to the point where you are BEGGING Caitlin to open her damn eyes and see Dillon for what he is, and really rooting for Maze and Walker and Jace and Heather (though the last two are side characters and mentioned less than Caitlin, Maze, and Walker). I will definitely be recommending this book for RA, and I can't wait to read the next book in the WIldstone series -
Love for Beginners. There was a sample of a chapter in the back of this one, and I was hooked immediately.

Maze is returning to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff Caitlin which is also bringing together her former foster siblings Heather and Walker. Once upon a time, Maze, Heather, and Walker were fostered into Caitlin's parent's home. For a year, they grew to be family to one another, but a tragedy tore them all apart and long-held guilt has continued to strain their relationship especially within the last three years where they have barely spoken to one another.

Now, forced to be around one another in the week leading up to the nuptials, Heather, Walker, Maze, and Caitlin will begin to heal old wounds and put the past to rest.

I probably say this every time I finish with a Wildstone book, but I'm pretty sure The Forever Girl is my new favorite. All the elements just fit together so perfectly. The sisterly/female friendships, found family, second-chance romance. It's all there and Jill Shalvis executes everything perfectly. This is one of the few books in the series where I hope Jill Shalvis will give a couple of the more secondary characters (i.e. Heather and Caitlin) their own stories as was previously done with [book:Lost and Found Sisters|32319723] and [book:The Good Luck Sister|37758704].

The Forever Girl mainly focuses on Maze and Walker. Both of them put into the foster system at a young age, both of them still dealing with the tragic events of the past, yet still they are drawn to one another. They complete each other through their shared, yet different, experiences and the paths they've taken in their lives. They are a good compliment to each other, it's just that they haven't figured it out yet. Luckily, we get a front row to Maze and Walker dealing with the past and seeing if they can have a future.

It's sweet and I was immediately drawn into their story. I was rooting for them from basically the first page and I liked that Jill Shalvis doesn't really string readers along in regards to the fact that both Walker and Maze have long-held feelings for one another. What we have to brace ourselves for throughout is whether they can move forward with their feelings. If they can set aside their fears from their childhoods and give someone else a chance.

Besides Walker and Maze's romance, I did like that we got some focus on the healing that needed to happen between Caitlin, Maze, Walker and Heather too as a group. Their lives all changed one fateful day when they were teenagers and they've each dealt with things differently and subsequently they've pulled apart from one another. I liked that Jill Shalvis shows us the different ways of grief, but then also shows readers the light at the end so to speak. That having and keeping the people you care about close is essential. That there are people in your life, no matter what, who will stand by you no questions, no matter your faults. I loved seeing that close, unshakable bond within this group, and loved seeing them find it within themselves again. It kind of nudged the romance out of first place as the thing I loved most about the book.

Really a standout story in this series. If you haven't read the other books in the series, you're in luck because they perfectly standalone. But I promise you won't want to just visit Wildstone once.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters are so well developed I felt like I was friends with them by the end. Maze is such an interesting female lead even though the story is centered around getting ready for Cat’s wedding. Walker is a sexy male lead & the other characters are so good. I highly recommend reading this book!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for honest review

3.5 stars

I have read all of the books in this series (Wildstone by Jill Shalvis) so once I saw this book was available as an ARC, I entered my name. I love this series - the people are likable, the place sounds beautiful and the stories are great. But I have to admit - I liked this book the least of all of them. I felt there was too much "should I or shouldn't I?" between Maze and Walker. I wanted to shake both of them by the shoulders and just say "get over it and tell each other you love him / her!".

Each book in this series is a standalone and very relevant to real life. The stories are sweet with just a little drama (except in this story I felt like the drama just went on too long). "The Forever Girl" revolved around three adults that had been part of the foster program while growing up (Maze, Walker and Heather). They spent a year with one family that positively shaped their adult lives. They all come back together for that family's daughter's wedding and they realize that being part of a family doesn't always mean you have to be born into that family. There was plenty of laughter; reminiscing about old times; hope for the future; forgiveness and learning to love each other again.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Paperbacks, Custom House and Jill Shavis for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
As children they were more than just foster children in the same home, the were Siblings of the Heart. A bond formed between four kids raised under the same roof, ripped apart by a tragedy years later. Now Caitlin, the only biological child of the foster parents, is getting married and she is determined to bring her family back together again. Suddenly they are forced to face the past and learn how to forgive.
As one of eight children brought together through multiple divorces and marriages, I am well equipped to understand just how complex a mixed family can be. So many different backgrounds, personality traits and POV’s coming together in one house can be crazy. It can also be the more rewarding, fun thing you’ll ever experience. I was rooting for this family the entire time, hoping they would find their way to forgiveness and healing together. While this is pegged as a romance, I really loved and connected to the family portion the most!
The romance between Walker and Cat was a slow burn and keeps you flipping the page hoping they find each other again. This was such a feel-good book all around, it’s a must read!

*This ARC was provided by Netgalley for free review*
First of all, I am a big fan of Jill Shalvis! I love her books! Second of all, I was so excited to be provided with this advanced copy to review.
At first I didn’t realize this book was part of a series but have no fear, this series can be read as stand alone books. Whew!
This book is about family, friendships and finding your way back to people after a tragedy tears you apart. Maze, Heather, Walker and Cat are all family after Cat’s parents take the other three in as foster children. After a terrible tragedy occurs, they all have to go their separate ways. Cat is getting married and wants to get them all back together for one last time at the lake they loved before she begins her new life. Can they heal old wounds and finally forgive each other? Will Maze and Walker admit a big secret they’ve been keeping from the others? Will Cat even get married? I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will too! ~D

Jill Shalvis has done it again. I can't think of another author right now that writes about family and friendships as well as she does. While there is a bit of a romance the core of the story is about family, and bringing everyone back together again.

We start with Caitlin, who is getting married and determined to renew the family from her childhood that fell apart three years ago. She cons/convinces Maze, Heather and Walker to spend the week before her wedding at her house to rebuild.

They are all foster siblings, who spent 1 year with Caitlin and her parents until tragedy struck. Everything that had to do with the tragedy hit me in the feels, it was so sad and seeing them each work through their part in what happened had me teary eyed.

I loved each and every one of them, it was impossible not to. They're all so different, but you know they desperately need each other and Caitlin bringing them together was the best thing for them. The road wasn't always easy though. Heather came with new secrets. Maze and Walker and working through their history. And Caitlin is struggling with her wedding to Dillon.

If families, friendship and love are your thing I highly recommend The Forever Girl. It will hit you in the feels and you will have no regrets.

4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early. This is my favorite in the Wildstone series- I enjoyed it so much!! This book is about Maze. She is returning to Wildstone for her estranged sister's wedding. She is one of 3 foster children that were apart of a family with 2 biological children. The biological children were Caitlin (the one getting married) and Michael who died at the age of 9. The foster children all came in at different ages but were separated when a terrible fire burned their house and killed Michael. Walker (one of the other foster children) and Maze both have a lot of guilt over the incident and we learn why throughout the book. Heather, the 3rd foster child, was a lot younger. They all come together every year (I think) on Michael's birthday and meet at his gravestone, but 3 years ago they had a big fight that severed connection between Maze and her siblings. As the book goes on we learn that Maze and Walker have a past that includes romantic chemistry and we watch them navigate that attraction in present day. We get to see everyone's issues and I loved each and every one. Caitlin was the oldest and only remaining biological child and I loved seeing her perspective on that. She also took responsibility for everyone and did things that she's supposed to do instead of following her heart. She's now about to get married and she's not sure if its for love or because she "should". Walker has been shot, but keeps living on the edge because he feels like he has to protect everyone. Heather has a lot of secrets she's been hiding that come to light when they all get back together. Maze has a "need nobody" attitude and we get to see her walls come down a little bit in this book. We also see her reunite with the foster parents even though she's been avoiding it for years.
I LOVE second chance romance, especially when its childhood sweethearts, so this just made me so happy. I also love found family and books about sibling relationships so this checked so many boxes for me! I loved how these were all very real people with messy stories. I highly recommend this book!

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Caitlin ends up not getting married. Maze helps her ditch the wedding on her wedding day because its just a really bad fit. The guy isn't sure he wants kids, the MIL is the woman from hell, and the only part of the wedding Caitlin has enjoyed is having her family back together. I loved how Maze and Caitlin were so bonded again by the end!
Walker feels guilty over Michael's death because he feels like he should've protected him more. He has protected Heather and Caitlin throughout life and Maze was the only one that he really didn't talk to because they had a miscommunication after they got married in Vegas when they were younger. They were both really insecure and felt rejected so all these years they've been married but haven't spoken. In the end they decide to stay married and have a "renewal of vows" ceremony.
Heather has a kid that she didn't tell Maze about. Walker knew about her and helped her (even though it was secretly) and Caitlin hadn't met her daughter (Sadie) and Sadie is the one kid who didn't like Caitlin (until the end).
Maze has a lot of insecurities because her mom had boyfriends that abused her and she never felt worthy of love. She also felt responsible for the death because she thought it had been her idea to go out and she sort of instigated the whole idea. However, that was not the case. I was so happy to see her and Walker get their HEA!

A group of friends that are really a family of the heart. Misunderstandings, insecurities, and heartbreak. Unusual romance. Won't say more as there is a surprise or two. Delightful reading.

A Jill Shalvis book is always a comforting read for me because I know just what to expect--a great setting, great characters, great romance. This latest installment of the Wildstone series was all that and more! A group of friends/family gathered for a wedding is my idea of a perfect weekend read. I loved all the charaacters--but especially Maze and Walker (Walker was swoon worthy!!). I love how the story revisted their past and tied everything together in the present. I loved the bond that the main characters had. I read the majority of this book in one day because I could NOT put it down!

If you haven't read the Wildstone series: you absolutely should! I've read them all in order, but I don't think that's necessary in order to enjoy the books. If you love romance and haven't read Jill Shalvis...change that ASAP and read this book, or any of her Wildstone series!!

This book is equal parts awesome and sad. Our main characters are family by the fact that Caitlin's parents fostered Maze, Heather, and Walker as kids until a tragedy took them away. The fall out from that continues years later. Maze and Walker are the main characters of the story and I love their romance. Walker is now an FBI agent and Maze is still finding herself. Everyone converges back in Wildstone for Caitlin's wedding to Dillon and they all finally confront their past.

As much as I enjoyed this book, it's definitely not the light-hearted contemporary romance I've seen Shalvis write in other series she has done. One constant is even though this is book #6, it definitely stands alone - other than being set in Wildstone, the books do not overlap.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.